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US5507203A - Variable length shaft assembly - Google Patents

Variable length shaft assembly Download PDF

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Publication number
US5507203A
US5507203A US08/428,509 US42850995A US5507203A US 5507203 A US5507203 A US 5507203A US 42850995 A US42850995 A US 42850995A US 5507203 A US5507203 A US 5507203A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
spring
shaft member
peripheral wall
axially extending
region
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US08/428,509
Inventor
Kevin J. Audibert
Frederick W. Mitchell, III
William E. Korzan
John T. Lawson
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DRIVESOL WATERTOWN Inc
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Torrington Co
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Publication date
Priority to US08/428,509 priority Critical patent/US5507203A/en
Application filed by Torrington Co filed Critical Torrington Co
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US5507203A publication Critical patent/US5507203A/en
Assigned to WELLS FARGO FOOTHILL, INC., AS AGENT reassignment WELLS FARGO FOOTHILL, INC., AS AGENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Assignors: DRIVESOL GLOBAL STEERING, INC.
Assigned to TIMKEN US CORPORATION reassignment TIMKEN US CORPORATION CHANGE OF NAME (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: THE TORRINGTON COMPANY
Assigned to DRIVESOL GLOBAL STEERING, INC. reassignment DRIVESOL GLOBAL STEERING, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: TIMKEN US CORPORATION
Assigned to SUN DRIVESOL FINANCE, LLC reassignment SUN DRIVESOL FINANCE, LLC SECURITY AGREEMENT Assignors: DRIVESOL AUTOMOTIVE INCORPORATED, DRIVESOL GLOBAL STEERING INTERMEDIARY, INC., DRIVESOL GLOBAL STEERING, INC., DRIVESOL INTERMEDIATE HOLDING CORP., DRIVESOL WORLDWIDE, INC.
Assigned to DRIVESOL INTERMEDIATE HOLDING CORP., DRIVESOL AUTOMOTIVE INCORPORATED, DRIVESOL GLOBAL STEERING, INC., DRIVESOL GLOBAL STEERING INTERMEDIARY, INC., DRIVESOL WORLDWIDE, INC. reassignment DRIVESOL INTERMEDIATE HOLDING CORP. RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME 021158/0208 Assignors: SUN DRIVESOL FINANCE, LLC
Assigned to SUN DRIVESOL FINANCE, LLC reassignment SUN DRIVESOL FINANCE, LLC AMENDED AND RESTATED PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Assignors: DRIVESOL AUTOMOTIVE INCORPORATED, DRIVESOL GLOBAL STEERING, INC., DRIVESOL INTERMEDIATE HOLDING CORP., DRIVESOL WORLDWIDE, INC.
Assigned to WELLS FARGO FOOTHILL, INC., AS AGENT reassignment WELLS FARGO FOOTHILL, INC., AS AGENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Assignors: DRIVESOL WATERTOWN, INC.
Assigned to DRIVESOL WATERTOWN, INC. reassignment DRIVESOL WATERTOWN, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: DRIVESOL GLOBAL STEERING, INC.
Assigned to DRIVESOL GLOBAL STEERING, INC. reassignment DRIVESOL GLOBAL STEERING, INC. PARTIAL RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME 021561/0335 Assignors: SUN DRIVESOL FINANCE, LLC
Assigned to DRIVESOL GLOBAL STEERING, INC., FORMERLY KNOWN AS DRIVESOL WATERTOWN, INC. reassignment DRIVESOL GLOBAL STEERING, INC., FORMERLY KNOWN AS DRIVESOL WATERTOWN, INC. RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: WELLS FARGO FOOTHILL, INC., AS AGENT
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D1/00—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle
    • B62D1/02—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle vehicle-mounted
    • B62D1/16—Steering columns
    • B62D1/18—Steering columns yieldable or adjustable, e.g. tiltable
    • B62D1/185—Steering columns yieldable or adjustable, e.g. tiltable adjustable by axial displacement, e.g. telescopically
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C3/00—Shafts; Axles; Cranks; Eccentrics
    • F16C3/02—Shafts; Axles
    • F16C3/03—Shafts; Axles telescopic
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16D—COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
    • F16D3/00—Yielding couplings, i.e. with means permitting movement between the connected parts during the drive
    • F16D3/02—Yielding couplings, i.e. with means permitting movement between the connected parts during the drive adapted to specific functions
    • F16D3/06—Yielding couplings, i.e. with means permitting movement between the connected parts during the drive adapted to specific functions specially adapted to allow axial displacement
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16D—COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
    • F16D3/00—Yielding couplings, i.e. with means permitting movement between the connected parts during the drive
    • F16D3/50—Yielding couplings, i.e. with means permitting movement between the connected parts during the drive with the coupling parts connected by one or more intermediate members
    • F16D3/56—Yielding couplings, i.e. with means permitting movement between the connected parts during the drive with the coupling parts connected by one or more intermediate members comprising elastic metal lamellae, elastic rods, or the like, e.g. arranged radially or parallel to the axis, the members being shear-loaded collectively by the total load
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16D—COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
    • F16D3/00—Yielding couplings, i.e. with means permitting movement between the connected parts during the drive
    • F16D3/50—Yielding couplings, i.e. with means permitting movement between the connected parts during the drive with the coupling parts connected by one or more intermediate members
    • F16D3/64—Yielding couplings, i.e. with means permitting movement between the connected parts during the drive with the coupling parts connected by one or more intermediate members comprising elastic elements arranged between substantially-radial walls of both coupling parts
    • F16D3/66—Yielding couplings, i.e. with means permitting movement between the connected parts during the drive with the coupling parts connected by one or more intermediate members comprising elastic elements arranged between substantially-radial walls of both coupling parts the elements being metallic, e.g. in the form of coils
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16F—SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
    • F16F15/00—Suppression of vibrations in systems; Means or arrangements for avoiding or reducing out-of-balance forces, e.g. due to motion
    • F16F15/10—Suppression of vibrations in rotating systems by making use of members moving with the system
    • F16F15/12—Suppression of vibrations in rotating systems by making use of members moving with the system using elastic members or friction-damping members, e.g. between a rotating shaft and a gyratory mass mounted thereon
    • F16F15/121—Suppression of vibrations in rotating systems by making use of members moving with the system using elastic members or friction-damping members, e.g. between a rotating shaft and a gyratory mass mounted thereon using springs as elastic members, e.g. metallic springs
    • F16F15/124—Elastomeric springs
    • F16F15/126—Elastomeric springs consisting of at least one annular element surrounding the axis of rotation
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C2326/00—Articles relating to transporting
    • F16C2326/20—Land vehicles
    • F16C2326/24—Steering systems, e.g. steering rods or columns

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to shaft assemblies which are variable in length and more particularly to a shaft assembly which is adaptable for use as the steering shaft in steering devices of motor vehicles.
  • the shaft assembly which is attached to the steering column at one end and the steering gear at the other end, must be extended axially in order to be installed to its nominal working position. Therefore, a low force to slide is essential for ease of installation.
  • An additional requirement for the shaft assembly is the ability to accommodate any body/chassis flex due to road conditions.
  • a steering shaft coupling comprising: an outer tubular shaft member, a coaxial inner shaft member slidably inserted within the outer tubular shaft member, the outer tubular shaft member having an inner peripheral wall and the inner shaft member having an outer peripheral wall, the inner peripheral wall and the outer peripheral wall having complementary shapes, the complementary shapes transmitting torque between the shaft members, and a biasing member between the inner shaft member and the outer tubular shaft member, the biasing member causing a force opposing the transmitted torque.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagrammatical illustration of the steering system of an automobile in which a coupling of the present invention is applied;
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a coupling embodying the present invention
  • FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the coupling of FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3 showing the coupling with maximum relative rotation between the upper and lower portions of the steering shaft;
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the action of the spring forces
  • FIG. 6 is a graph showing the spring load versus spring deflection of the coupling shown in FIG. 2.
  • FIG. 1 shows an steering shaft coupling 1 of the present invention applied to the steering system of an automobile.
  • the steering shaft coupling 1 is interposed between a steering main shaft 7 extending from a steering column 6 and a steering gear shaft 9 attached to a steering gear case 8.
  • the steering shaft coupling 1 is connected to the steering main shaft 7 and the steering gear shaft 9 by a pair of universal joints 10, 11.
  • FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the coupling 1 of the present invention. Portions of the coupling 1 have been removed to show the details of the coupling 1.
  • the coupling 1 is comprised of three main components, an outer tubular shaft member 20, an inner shaft member 24 and a spring member 22 located between the outer shaft member 20 and the inner shaft member 24.
  • the inner shaft member 24 and the outer shaft member 20 are slidable relative to one another.
  • the spring member 22 is fixed relative to one of the two shaft members.
  • a lower shaft 30 is connected to the inner shaft member 24.
  • the outer shaft member 20 may be axially extended such that universal joint 10 is attached directly to the outer shaft member 20.
  • An upper shaft member (not shown) may be used to connect the outer shaft member 20 to the universal joint 10.
  • the lower shaft 30 is slidable within the inner shaft member 24. This permits the lower and upper portions of the shaft assembly to collapse, either for ease of assembly or during a collision of the automobile.
  • the lower shaft 30 has a double - D shape which permits transmission of torque between the inner shaft member 24 and the lower shaft 30.
  • the outer shaft member 20, the inner shaft member 24 and the spring member 22 each have shape similar to a double - B.
  • the inner peripheral wall of the outer shaft member 20 and the outer peripheral wall of the inner shaft member 24 have complementary shapes thereby permitting the transmission of rotational torque between the outer shaft member 20 and the inner shaft member 24.
  • the spring member 22 will also have a shape similar to the shapes of the outer shaft member 20 and the inner shaft member 24.
  • the shape of the members shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 can be described as a two toothed spline.
  • the spring member 22 is formed of two sections as shown in FIG. 3. Also shown only in FIG. 3 is an anti-rattle bump 26 on opposite sides of the spring member 22.
  • the anti-rattle bump 26 may be needed in some applications remove any looseness between the spring member 22 and the outer shaft member 20 along the curved portions of the outer shaft member 20.
  • the purpose of the spring member 22 is to take up the rotational clearance between the outer shaft member 20 and the inner shaft member 24. As one shaft member rotates relative to the other shaft member, the spring member exerts a force 40, illustrated in FIG. 5, opposing the transmitted torque. Depending upon the shapes of the shaft members 20, 24 and the spring member 22, any number of spring forces 40 may be generated. For the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, two spring forces are generated for clockwise rotation and two spring forces are generated for counterclockwise rotation as shown in FIG. 5. In the preferred embodiment, a line 42 normal to the spring force 40 intersects the axis of the inner shaft member.
  • An object of this invention is to limit the stress in the spring member 22 as one shaft member rotates relative to the other shaft member.
  • the torque transmitting shapes of the outer shaft member 20, the spring member 22 and the inner shaft member 24 are designed such that as rotational torque begins to be transmitted from one shaft member to the other shaft member through the spring member 22, stress in the spring increases and a spring force opposing the transmitted torque is generated.
  • the spring member 22 becomes "sandwiched" between the outer shaft member 20 and the inner shaft member 24, as shown in FIG. 4. Once this occurs, torque is then transmitted directly from one shaft member to the other. The tensile stress in the spring member 22 no longer increases with increasing torque once this point has been reached.
  • the "sandwiching" of the spring member 22 occurs along a line 28, rather than over broad areas of the spring member 22.
  • FIG. 4 shows the “sandwiching” occurring in the region of spring member 22 which generates the spring force
  • the “sandwiching” can occur in other regions of the spring member 22 depending upon the geometric shapes of the shaft members 20, 24 and the spring member 22.
  • the spring member 22 usually carries some torque and carries the normal driving loads of the steering column. However, in higher torque and stress conditions, the "sandwiching" effect limits or caps the maximum stress in the spring member 22.
  • Another object of the spring member 22 is to minimize the axial sliding load variations between the two shafts.
  • a further object of the spring member 22 is to maintain a predefined relationship between the torsional rate and the axial sliding load.
  • FIG. 6 which shows the relationship between spring load and spring deflection in a coupling 1 of the present invention illustrates how these objectives are achieved.
  • the graph in FIG. 6 shows three different regions of spring operation. In the first region, as the spring is initially loaded, the spring load increases as spring deflection increases. In the second region, the spring load remains essentially constant as spring deflection increases. Then the coupling 1 enters the third region where the spring load again increases with increasing spring deflection or coupling loading. The spring load increases until the spring member 22 is "sandwiched" between the inner shaft member 24 and the outer shaft member 20, as shown in FIG. 4.
  • the spring rate of a spring is defined as the change in the spring load for a given change in the spring deflection.
  • the second region on the graph shown in FIG. 6 illustrates a low spring rate.
  • the initial loading (pre-load) of the spring members 22 in coupling 1 is chosen such that the pre-load falls in this second region of low spring rate.
  • the spring rate curve of coupling 1 is designed to provide a given rate to slip by providing a pre-determined assembled spring preload.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Steering Controls (AREA)
  • Shafts, Cranks, Connecting Bars, And Related Bearings (AREA)
  • Valve Device For Special Equipments (AREA)

Abstract

A steering shaft coupling comprising: an outer tubular shaft member, a coaxial inner shaft member slidably inserted within the outer tubular shaft member, the outer tubular shaft member having an inner peripheral wall and the inner shaft member having an outer peripheral wall, the inner peripheral wall and the outer peripheral wall having complementary shapes, the complementary shapes transmitting torque between the shaft members, and a biasing member between the inner shaft member and the outer tubular shaft member, the biasing member causing a force opposing the transmitted torque.

Description

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/055,337, filed May 3, 1993, abandoned.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to shaft assemblies which are variable in length and more particularly to a shaft assembly which is adaptable for use as the steering shaft in steering devices of motor vehicles.
In certain applications, during the assembly of a vehicle, the shaft assembly, which is attached to the steering column at one end and the steering gear at the other end, must be extended axially in order to be installed to its nominal working position. Therefore, a low force to slide is essential for ease of installation. An additional requirement for the shaft assembly is the ability to accommodate any body/chassis flex due to road conditions.
Generally, in order to decrease the force to slide the shaft assembly axially, the clearance between the male and female members must increase. Consequently, the rotational lash or play of the shaft assembly will increase. Attempts to make steering as responsive as possible have forced the rotational lash requirements to be reduced.
The foregoing illustrates limitations known to exist in present variable length shaft assemblies. Thus, it is apparent that it would be advantageous to provide an alternative directed to overcoming one or more of the limitations set forth above. Accordingly, a suitable alternative is provided including features more fully disclosed hereinafter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the present invention, this is accomplished by providing a steering shaft coupling comprising: an outer tubular shaft member, a coaxial inner shaft member slidably inserted within the outer tubular shaft member, the outer tubular shaft member having an inner peripheral wall and the inner shaft member having an outer peripheral wall, the inner peripheral wall and the outer peripheral wall having complementary shapes, the complementary shapes transmitting torque between the shaft members, and a biasing member between the inner shaft member and the outer tubular shaft member, the biasing member causing a force opposing the transmitted torque.
The foregoing and other aspects will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatical illustration of the steering system of an automobile in which a coupling of the present invention is applied;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a coupling embodying the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the coupling of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3 showing the coupling with maximum relative rotation between the upper and lower portions of the steering shaft;
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the action of the spring forces; and
FIG. 6 is a graph showing the spring load versus spring deflection of the coupling shown in FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 shows an steering shaft coupling 1 of the present invention applied to the steering system of an automobile. The steering shaft coupling 1 is interposed between a steering main shaft 7 extending from a steering column 6 and a steering gear shaft 9 attached to a steering gear case 8. Typically, the steering shaft coupling 1 is connected to the steering main shaft 7 and the steering gear shaft 9 by a pair of universal joints 10, 11.
FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the coupling 1 of the present invention. Portions of the coupling 1 have been removed to show the details of the coupling 1. The coupling 1 is comprised of three main components, an outer tubular shaft member 20, an inner shaft member 24 and a spring member 22 located between the outer shaft member 20 and the inner shaft member 24. The inner shaft member 24 and the outer shaft member 20 are slidable relative to one another. Preferably, the spring member 22 is fixed relative to one of the two shaft members. A lower shaft 30 is connected to the inner shaft member 24. The outer shaft member 20 may be axially extended such that universal joint 10 is attached directly to the outer shaft member 20. An upper shaft member (not shown) may be used to connect the outer shaft member 20 to the universal joint 10.
In the preferred embodiment, the lower shaft 30 is slidable within the inner shaft member 24. This permits the lower and upper portions of the shaft assembly to collapse, either for ease of assembly or during a collision of the automobile. The lower shaft 30 has a double - D shape which permits transmission of torque between the inner shaft member 24 and the lower shaft 30.
The outer shaft member 20, the inner shaft member 24 and the spring member 22 each have shape similar to a double - B. The inner peripheral wall of the outer shaft member 20 and the outer peripheral wall of the inner shaft member 24 have complementary shapes thereby permitting the transmission of rotational torque between the outer shaft member 20 and the inner shaft member 24. In the preferred embodiment, the spring member 22 will also have a shape similar to the shapes of the outer shaft member 20 and the inner shaft member 24. The shape of the members shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 can be described as a two toothed spline.
In the preferred embodiment, the spring member 22 is formed of two sections as shown in FIG. 3. Also shown only in FIG. 3 is an anti-rattle bump 26 on opposite sides of the spring member 22. The anti-rattle bump 26 may be needed in some applications remove any looseness between the spring member 22 and the outer shaft member 20 along the curved portions of the outer shaft member 20.
The purpose of the spring member 22 is to take up the rotational clearance between the outer shaft member 20 and the inner shaft member 24. As one shaft member rotates relative to the other shaft member, the spring member exerts a force 40, illustrated in FIG. 5, opposing the transmitted torque. Depending upon the shapes of the shaft members 20, 24 and the spring member 22, any number of spring forces 40 may be generated. For the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, two spring forces are generated for clockwise rotation and two spring forces are generated for counterclockwise rotation as shown in FIG. 5. In the preferred embodiment, a line 42 normal to the spring force 40 intersects the axis of the inner shaft member.
An object of this invention is to limit the stress in the spring member 22 as one shaft member rotates relative to the other shaft member. The torque transmitting shapes of the outer shaft member 20, the spring member 22 and the inner shaft member 24 are designed such that as rotational torque begins to be transmitted from one shaft member to the other shaft member through the spring member 22, stress in the spring increases and a spring force opposing the transmitted torque is generated. As the transmitted torque continues to increase, the spring member 22 becomes "sandwiched" between the outer shaft member 20 and the inner shaft member 24, as shown in FIG. 4. Once this occurs, torque is then transmitted directly from one shaft member to the other. The tensile stress in the spring member 22 no longer increases with increasing torque once this point has been reached. Generally, the "sandwiching" of the spring member 22 occurs along a line 28, rather than over broad areas of the spring member 22. Although FIG. 4 shows the "sandwiching" occurring in the region of spring member 22 which generates the spring force, the "sandwiching" can occur in other regions of the spring member 22 depending upon the geometric shapes of the shaft members 20, 24 and the spring member 22. With this design, the spring member 22 usually carries some torque and carries the normal driving loads of the steering column. However, in higher torque and stress conditions, the "sandwiching" effect limits or caps the maximum stress in the spring member 22.
One geometric configuration which will achieve this "sandwiching" effect is to have flat portions 44a, 44b on the outer shaft member 20 and the inner shaft member 24, the flat portions being at an angle to a line passing through the axis of the shafts such that the spring member 22 will be "sandwiched" between the flat portions 44a and 44b.
Another object of the spring member 22 is to minimize the axial sliding load variations between the two shafts. A further object of the spring member 22 is to maintain a predefined relationship between the torsional rate and the axial sliding load.
FIG. 6 which shows the relationship between spring load and spring deflection in a coupling 1 of the present invention illustrates how these objectives are achieved. The graph in FIG. 6 shows three different regions of spring operation. In the first region, as the spring is initially loaded, the spring load increases as spring deflection increases. In the second region, the spring load remains essentially constant as spring deflection increases. Then the coupling 1 enters the third region where the spring load again increases with increasing spring deflection or coupling loading. The spring load increases until the spring member 22 is "sandwiched" between the inner shaft member 24 and the outer shaft member 20, as shown in FIG. 4.
For ease of assembly, a low force to slip between the outer shaft member 20 and the inner shaft member 24 is desired. The force to slip (FTS) or axial sliding load is determined by the following equation: ##EQU1##
The spring rate of a spring is defined as the change in the spring load for a given change in the spring deflection. The second region on the graph shown in FIG. 6 illustrates a low spring rate. The initial loading (pre-load) of the spring members 22 in coupling 1 is chosen such that the pre-load falls in this second region of low spring rate. As shown in the equation above, variations in the force to slip as a result of part manufacturing tolerances or variations will be limited because of the small or zero spring rate. The spring rate curve of coupling 1 is designed to provide a given rate to slip by providing a pre-determined assembled spring preload.

Claims (5)

Having described the invention, what is claimed is:
1. A steering shaft coupling comprising:
an outer tubular shaft member;
a coaxial inner shaft member slidably inserted within the outer tubular shaft member;
the outer tubular shaft member having an inner peripheral wall and the inner shaft member having an outer peripheral wall, the inner peripheral wall and the outer peripheral wall having complementary shapes, the complementary shapes transmitting torque between the shaft members;
an axially extending spring between the inner shaft member and the outer tubular shaft member, the axially extending spring causing a force opposing the transmitted torque, the axially extending spring having three different regions of spring operation, a first region exhibiting an increasing spring load with an increasing spring deflection, a second region following the first region in which the spring load remains essentially constant with increasing spring deflection, and a third region following the second region where the spring load again increases with increasing spring deflection, the spring having a pre-load applied thereto go as to pre-load the spring into the second region of spring operation, the axially extending spring being in sliding contact with the inner shaft member and the outer shaft member; and
a means for preventing stress within the axially extending spring from exceeding a predetermined maximum as the torque between the shaft members increases, said means including complementary flat members on the shaft members which sandwich the spring.
2. The steering shaft coupling according to claim 1 wherein the spring has a shape complementary to the inner peripheral wall and the outer peripheral wall.
3. The steering shaft coupling according to claim 1 wherein a line normal to the force opposing the transmitted torque intersects the axis of the inner shaft member.
4. The steering shaft coupling according to claim 1 wherein the spring causes a plurality of forces opposing the transmitted torque.
5. The steering shaft coupling according to claim 1 wherein the axially extending spring is formed of two parts.
US08/428,509 1993-05-03 1995-04-25 Variable length shaft assembly Expired - Lifetime US5507203A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US08/428,509 US5507203A (en) 1993-05-03 1995-04-25 Variable length shaft assembly

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US5533793A 1993-05-03 1993-05-03
US08/428,509 US5507203A (en) 1993-05-03 1995-04-25 Variable length shaft assembly

Related Parent Applications (1)

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US5533793A Continuation 1993-05-03 1993-05-03

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US5507203A true US5507203A (en) 1996-04-16

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US (1) US5507203A (en)
EP (1) EP0775265B1 (en)
JP (1) JPH08511850A (en)
CN (1) CN1046018C (en)
AU (1) AU6669994A (en)
BR (1) BR9406388A (en)
CA (1) CA2160997A1 (en)
DE (1) DE69419531T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2133560T3 (en)
WO (1) WO1994025766A1 (en)

Cited By (27)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD379610S (en) * 1996-04-16 1997-06-03 Freightliner Corporation Truck steering wheel column cover
US5878832A (en) * 1997-08-13 1999-03-09 General Motors Corporation Steering apparatus for motor vehicle
FR2778215A1 (en) * 1998-04-30 1999-11-05 Walterscheid Gmbh Gkn Shaft and hub arrangement for shaft drive to rotary grass cutter
US6062982A (en) * 1998-05-12 2000-05-16 Trw Inc. Force transmitting apparatus
US6149526A (en) * 1997-11-12 2000-11-21 Etablissement Supervis Variable length steering shaft for steering mechanisms of motor vehicles
US6241616B1 (en) * 1999-05-20 2001-06-05 Neapco Inc. Variable length double telescoping drive shaft assembly
US6283867B1 (en) * 1999-12-07 2001-09-04 Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd. Elastic shaft joint
US6729648B2 (en) 2002-06-07 2004-05-04 Sealy Technology Llc Non-linear energy absorbing column assembly
US6733039B2 (en) * 2001-06-18 2004-05-11 Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Damper mechanism for steering device
US20040222623A1 (en) * 2003-05-05 2004-11-11 Walters Paul A. Sealing assembly for a steering column assembly
US20050087970A1 (en) * 2003-10-23 2005-04-28 Anchor Tool & Die Company Axially adjustable steering column assembly with flexible bearing sleeve
US20060230865A1 (en) * 2004-01-28 2006-10-19 Melchor Daumal Castellon Intermediate shaft with low sliding load for the steering column of a motor vehicle
US20060290127A1 (en) * 2005-06-27 2006-12-28 Cymbal William D Telescoping steering column assembly and method of manufacturing the assembly
US20070012277A1 (en) * 2005-07-14 2007-01-18 Borgwarner Inc. Torsional damper for balance shafts
GB2429438A (en) * 2005-08-25 2007-02-28 Nsk Steering Sys Europ Ltd Telescopic assembly, in particular a vehicle steering column assembly
US20080000316A1 (en) * 2006-06-29 2008-01-03 Nsk Ltd. Telescopic shaft
US20090005184A1 (en) * 2007-06-18 2009-01-01 Skf Aerospace France Shaft for transmitting rotational movements and/or forces
US20090042657A1 (en) * 2006-07-11 2009-02-12 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Torque Transmission Device
US20090056493A1 (en) * 2007-08-29 2009-03-05 Dubay Robert W Steering column manufacturing machine and method of manufacturing a steering column
US20140150596A1 (en) * 2011-07-26 2014-06-05 Nsk, Ltd. Manufacturing method for a steering column, and steering apparatus that uses that steering column
US9080598B2 (en) 2013-06-26 2015-07-14 Cnh Industrial America Llc Double sided double telescoping drive coupling
US20160123376A1 (en) * 2013-06-05 2016-05-05 Daimler Ag Telescopic drive shaft
US9643266B1 (en) * 2006-10-27 2017-05-09 Battenfeld Technologies, Inc. Extendable folding saw
US20190202489A1 (en) * 2017-12-29 2019-07-04 Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Pampus Gmbh Steering assembly
US10451218B2 (en) * 2014-05-23 2019-10-22 Westport Power Inc. Bracketed support for a double walled cryogenic storage vessel
US10926789B2 (en) * 2017-12-29 2021-02-23 Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Rencol Limited Steering assembly
US11092190B2 (en) 2016-06-17 2021-08-17 Thyssenkrupp Presta Ag Telescopic steering shaft with a pull-out safeguard

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JP3329252B2 (en) * 1997-02-26 2002-09-30 トヨタ自動車株式会社 Connection structure of rotating shaft
JP3853150B2 (en) * 1999-12-02 2006-12-06 株式会社ジェイテクト Telescopic shaft
US6773199B2 (en) * 2002-02-28 2004-08-10 Gkn Walterscheid Gmbh Coupling, especially torque limiting coupling
KR20090017562A (en) * 2006-06-09 2009-02-18 에스게에프 쥐트도이췌 겔렌크솨이벤파브릭 게엠베하 & 체오, 케게 Torque transmission device for the low vibration transmission of torque via at least one shaft
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JP6132154B2 (en) * 2013-07-18 2017-05-24 株式会社ジェイテクト Sliding shaft and steering device
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CN112109796A (en) * 2020-10-12 2020-12-22 坤泰车辆系统（常州）有限公司 Steering column of automatic driving vehicle
US20240392839A1 (en) * 2023-05-23 2024-11-28 Steering Solutions Ip Holding Corporation Toothed connection for mating steering sytem components

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Cited By (39)

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USD379610S (en) * 1996-04-16 1997-06-03 Freightliner Corporation Truck steering wheel column cover
US5878832A (en) * 1997-08-13 1999-03-09 General Motors Corporation Steering apparatus for motor vehicle
US6149526A (en) * 1997-11-12 2000-11-21 Etablissement Supervis Variable length steering shaft for steering mechanisms of motor vehicles
FR2778215A1 (en) * 1998-04-30 1999-11-05 Walterscheid Gmbh Gkn Shaft and hub arrangement for shaft drive to rotary grass cutter
US6062982A (en) * 1998-05-12 2000-05-16 Trw Inc. Force transmitting apparatus
US6241616B1 (en) * 1999-05-20 2001-06-05 Neapco Inc. Variable length double telescoping drive shaft assembly
US6283867B1 (en) * 1999-12-07 2001-09-04 Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd. Elastic shaft joint
US6733039B2 (en) * 2001-06-18 2004-05-11 Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Damper mechanism for steering device
US6729648B2 (en) 2002-06-07 2004-05-04 Sealy Technology Llc Non-linear energy absorbing column assembly
US20040222623A1 (en) * 2003-05-05 2004-11-11 Walters Paul A. Sealing assembly for a steering column assembly
US20050087970A1 (en) * 2003-10-23 2005-04-28 Anchor Tool & Die Company Axially adjustable steering column assembly with flexible bearing sleeve
US7784830B2 (en) 2003-10-23 2010-08-31 Chrysler Group Llc Axially adjustable steering column assembly with flexible bearing sleeve
US20060230865A1 (en) * 2004-01-28 2006-10-19 Melchor Daumal Castellon Intermediate shaft with low sliding load for the steering column of a motor vehicle
US8215200B2 (en) * 2004-01-28 2012-07-10 Melchor Daumal Castellon Intermediate shaft with low sliding load for the steering column of a motor vehicle
US20060290127A1 (en) * 2005-06-27 2006-12-28 Cymbal William D Telescoping steering column assembly and method of manufacturing the assembly
US7556293B2 (en) 2005-06-27 2009-07-07 Delphi Technologies, Inc. Telescoping steering column assembly and method of manufacturing the assembly
US20070012277A1 (en) * 2005-07-14 2007-01-18 Borgwarner Inc. Torsional damper for balance shafts
US7252060B2 (en) 2005-07-14 2007-08-07 Borgwarner Inc Torsional damper for balance shafts
GB2429438A (en) * 2005-08-25 2007-02-28 Nsk Steering Sys Europ Ltd Telescopic assembly, in particular a vehicle steering column assembly
US20080000316A1 (en) * 2006-06-29 2008-01-03 Nsk Ltd. Telescopic shaft
US7559266B2 (en) 2006-06-29 2009-07-14 Nsk Ltd. Telescopic shaft
US20090042657A1 (en) * 2006-07-11 2009-02-12 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Torque Transmission Device
US7811175B2 (en) 2006-07-11 2010-10-12 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Torque transmission device
US10772261B1 (en) 2006-10-27 2020-09-15 Aob Products Company Extendable saw
US9643266B1 (en) * 2006-10-27 2017-05-09 Battenfeld Technologies, Inc. Extendable folding saw
US8025580B2 (en) * 2007-06-18 2011-09-27 Skf Aerospace France Shaft for transmitting rotational movements and/or forces
US20090005184A1 (en) * 2007-06-18 2009-01-01 Skf Aerospace France Shaft for transmitting rotational movements and/or forces
US8096036B2 (en) 2007-08-29 2012-01-17 Nexteer (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd. Method of manufacturing a steering column
US8783128B2 (en) 2007-08-29 2014-07-22 Steering Solutions Ip Holding Corporation Steering column manufacturing machine and method of manufacturing a steering column
US20090056493A1 (en) * 2007-08-29 2009-03-05 Dubay Robert W Steering column manufacturing machine and method of manufacturing a steering column
US20140150596A1 (en) * 2011-07-26 2014-06-05 Nsk, Ltd. Manufacturing method for a steering column, and steering apparatus that uses that steering column
US8960044B2 (en) * 2011-07-26 2015-02-24 Nsk, Ltd. Manufacturing method for a steering column, and steering apparatus that uses that steering column
US20160123376A1 (en) * 2013-06-05 2016-05-05 Daimler Ag Telescopic drive shaft
US9080598B2 (en) 2013-06-26 2015-07-14 Cnh Industrial America Llc Double sided double telescoping drive coupling
US10451218B2 (en) * 2014-05-23 2019-10-22 Westport Power Inc. Bracketed support for a double walled cryogenic storage vessel
US11092190B2 (en) 2016-06-17 2021-08-17 Thyssenkrupp Presta Ag Telescopic steering shaft with a pull-out safeguard
US20190202489A1 (en) * 2017-12-29 2019-07-04 Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Pampus Gmbh Steering assembly
US10926789B2 (en) * 2017-12-29 2021-02-23 Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Rencol Limited Steering assembly
US10933904B2 (en) * 2017-12-29 2021-03-02 Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Pampus Gmbh Steering assembly

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ES2133560T3 (en) 1999-09-16
CN1122156A (en) 1996-05-08
EP0775265A1 (en) 1997-05-28
CN1046018C (en) 1999-10-27
CA2160997A1 (en) 1994-11-10
EP0775265B1 (en) 1999-07-14
WO1994025766A1 (en) 1994-11-10
BR9406388A (en) 1996-01-16
AU6669994A (en) 1994-11-21
DE69419531D1 (en) 1999-08-19
JPH08511850A (en) 1996-12-10
DE69419531T2 (en) 2000-01-27

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